Even before the hue and cry over the Malpani Infertility Clinic could die down, CEHAT (Center for Enquiry into Health and Allied Themes) has unearthed another violation of the Act.
CEHAT, the NGO that filed the case against the Malpani Infertility Clinic in Mumbai for continuing to propagate sex selection techniques, in its website, has now brought to light a similar violation of the PNDT (Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques) regulation and prevention of misuse Act 2002.
The alleged culprit this time is Sandhya Pharma, based in Indore, which was found selling 'Genowonderkit', a product that helps in selecting the sex of the foetus.
In its complaint letter addressed to the Secretary of the Ministry of Family Health and Welfare, CEHAT mentions that enquiries into the sale of the 'Genowonderkit' revealed light the fact that Sandhya Pharma has been selling the product to nearly 6-7 patients every month.
The kit is essentially used for two types of treatments-one for young women (below 30 yrs of age) who would like to have a male child and this costs Rs.2450; and the second kit which costs Rs.6520 is for women who are above the age of 30 and who have had 2-3 abortions.
According to the company, nearly all their clients wanted to have a male child.
Section 22 of the Act clearly states that no person/organization/ genetic clinic/genetic lab shall issue, publish, distribute or communicate any advertisement, in any form, including the Internet, the availability of facilities of pre-natal determination of sex or sex selection before conception.
The company website says, "Gender Selection is Reality". Describing the Genowonderkit, it says "Pre-conceptional Sex Selection- The Medicinal Way Genowonder Kit-Boy & Genowonder-F-Kit-Girl (45 to 75 days treatment before pregnancy) with 98% success rates and no side effects. An ayurvedic medicine tried tested and approved for more than 10 years."
CEHAT, which is involved with issues related to female foeticide and infanticide has requested the authorities at the center to take action against the company.